How is a Cape Cod Style Roof Supported? 1

[trainguy]

All,

When looking at a "1.5" story wood framed house, that has a rectangular floor plan at ground floor and a reduced floor area upstairs due to a (say 45 degree) sloping roof, how are the inclined roof joists supported? I ask because the home I'm looking at has no framming level at the intersection of the outer walls and the sloping roofs. The upstairs floor meets the outer walls at approx. 5 feet below the intersection. What takes the outward thrust if you don't have a tension tie?


tg

 

[msquared48]

One of two things:

1. Either the outside studwalls are balloon framed - continuous from the foundation to the rafters, or

2. The roof diaphragm is steep enough to act like a deep beam, transmitting any lateral kick to the end shear walls.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[msquared48]

Of course, this is assuming that there is no obvious ridge beam. Duh...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[trainguy]

Thanks Mike.

tg